The brand recently informed its customers that the letter bars will not be available this year, stressing that the reason is “out of our control”.
Salmonella contamination
Callebaut, one of the largest chocolate makers in the world, supplies liquid chocolate to Tony’s and other producers. At the end of June a salmonella contamination was detected during the production of this in Wieze, south of Sint-Niklaas. The result: the entire factory had to be shut down and cleaned. Production will be restarted ‘soon’, Callebaut has informed Tony’s, and no contaminated chocolate has been delivered.
Too bad for everyone called Mark, Marlou or Martijn.
ANP / Jeroen Garter
But just last month the chocolate should have been produced for the Sinterklaas letters, Tony’s writes to its customers. The reopening of the Callebaut factory comes too late to catch up.
The spokesperson for the chocolate brand says that those with a sweet tooth can put other Tony’s chocolate on their wish list. She could not say on Thursday evening how many letters have not been delivered. It is not clear whether other brands cannot be supplied due to the salmonella contamination. Callebaut could not be reached for comment. Tony’s has a share of about 9% in the entire Dutch chocolate market.